Temple University Athletics
LATE COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AS OWLS LOSE AT LOUISVILLE, 21-12, IN FOOTBALL
9.27.03 | Football
"I'm proud of our players for coming out the way they did in the second half," said Temple head coach Bobby Wallace. "The second half is the way I would like to see us play all 60 minutes, but we have not done that yet."
The Cardinals explosive offense, ranked 19th in Division I-A in scoring (37.3 ppg.), scored on the second play of the contest, a 55-yard pass from quarterback Stefan LeFors to J.R. Russell. The Cardinal quarterback then engineered a 14-play 80-yard drive on the team's next possession, capping it with a seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Richard Owens to make the score 14-0 with 4:44 remaining in the first quarter.
That would be all the action on the day for LeFors, who connected on five-of-seven passes for 100 yards as he left the game due to a concussion.
The Owls drove down the field on the next possession as junior quarterback Mike McGann directed the Owls to the Louisville six-yard line, hitting four different receivers on pass plays of 14 or more yards. But on second and goal, McGann fumbled the ball on the exchange with running back Umar Ferguson (14 carries, 59 yards) and Chad Rimpsey recovered for the Cardinals to end the threat.
After gaining just 75 yards on his first three possessions, Louisville backup quarterback Justin Rascati tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Ghent just before halftime to cap an eight-play 72 yard drive.
Temple tried a fake field goal attempt in the third quarter with the ball on the Louisville nine-yard line. The Cardinals were ready, however, as holder Mike Holly was tackled for a loss of one yard.
Senior defensive back Yazid Jackson recovered a fumble on the Cardinals subsequent possession on the Temple 48-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Walter Washington, seeing his first action of the day, rushed twice for 16 yards and then hit Terrence Stubbs on a 10-yard pass before connecting with fellow junior college transfer Phil Goodman for a 26-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-6 as time expired in the third quarter. Goodman leapt over a Louisville defender to make the acrobatic reception in the end zone. Jared Davis had his extra point attempt blocked, the 13th blocked kick by Louisville over the past two seasons.
Senior Anthony Nembhard, in his first year as a defensive end, came up with a big play to help thwart the Cardinals next possession, sacking Louisville quarterback Michael Bush for 19-yard loss. On the ensuing punt, Zamir Cobb was interfered with while attempting to make a fair catch. That gave the Owls a first down on their 47-yard line.
McGann then returned to the lineup, and connected with Cobb on a 33-yard touchdown pass to make the score, 21-12, with 7:37 remaining in the contest. The Owls kicking woes continued, however, as sophomore Roger Price hit the right upright on his extra point attempt.
After a Louisville punt, Temple drove down the field to the Cardinal 21, but McGann fumbled while being sacked with 3:49 on the clock. Temple had one last chance as Donnie Coleman intercepted a Rascati pass on the 49 yard line and returned it to the Louisville 38. Washington then drove the Owls to the Louisville four-yard line before time expired.
McGann, who completed 24-45 for 304 yards, moved into third place on the Owls all-time passing yardage list. He now has 3,976 yards to move ahead of Tim Riordan (3679, 1981-83), Doug Shobert (3913, 1970-72) and Devin Scott (3947, 1998-01). He also became just the second Owl quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in consecutive games, joining Henry Burris who accomplished the feat in the 1994 season.
Temple's 54 passing attempts tied the school record set versus Syracuse in 1994.
Senior wideout Ikey Chuku had a career day for the Owls, catching a game-high seven passes for 103 yards, both career highs. It marked the fourth straight game that Temple had a 100-yard receiving game by a wide receiver.
Cobb, who ranks third in the Big East Conference's in receiving yards, just missed a third straight 100-yard receiving game. He caught six passes for 98 yards and one touchdown.
Temple will tried to notch its first win of the season when it travels to Middle Tennessee State next Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off with the Blue Raiders.
